Help to pay utility bills is available

Billty Dragoo

Published
6:00 pm CST, Wednesday, February 21, 2001

But, there may be financial assistance to help pay those bills for families who qualify.

BVCAA Energy/Housing Services has a program geared to helping those in need. BVCAA Energy/Housing Services is located in Bryan and is a non-profit organization. Its' purpose is to provide assistance with energy bills to families who meet the income guidelines. The organization serves nine counties, including Brazos, Burleson, Grimes, Leon, Madison, Robertson, Walker, Waller and Washington counties.

The price for natural gas in January 2000 was $2.535 per MMbtu. In January 2001, the price increased to $6.35 per MMbtu and this month (February), the price jumped to $10.19 per MMbtu. The estimated price of the natural gas is expected to be over $9 per MMbtu in March of this year.

Those prices are what the city of Hempstead pays for the gas and the increases are "passed along" to customer.

Figures provided by the city of Hempstead show an average bill of $52.72 for residential customers using 8,000 cubic feet of gas in January 2000. In December 2000, that same amount of gas would have cost the customer $70.80, in January the bill would have been $86.08 and in February, the cost to the customer would have been $123.28.

"At this time, we are assisting with heating bills due to the high fuel costs nationwide. Other programs provide energy assistance to the Elderly (age 60-plus) /Disabled and Co-Pay for working families," said spokeswoman Debbie Johnson. "All of our programs must qualify by income in the last 30 days. Documentation such as social security cards, ID's, proof of income and bills are required."

People seeking assistance paying their utility bills in Waller County can call BVCAA at 1-800-551-5795 for more information.

Johnson also said the organization's offices are experiencing heavy phone calls and the hold time is extensive. Appointments are being taken in Bryan and representatives are traveling to other counties. Volunteers are in place in the other counties to assist.

"We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to these volunteers and the companies in which they are employed. It would be impossible for us to serve the number of people seeking assistance without these volunteers. If you are interested in being a volunteer please contact our office," Johnson said.